anything a woman wants during her subtle but imaginative moments

“We lost our baby girl at 12.45 am yesterday. She had my lips and eyes and Papang’s long arms and legs. Let’s pray for her soul. We thank our families and friends for being our strength.”

This was the message registered on my sister Dyan’s facebook wall, July 13, 2011. Her baby girl Alexi passed away just minutes after her premature birth. She came out 4 months early and she wouldn’t have survived any longer than she did because her lungs were still underdeveloped. It was not meant to be.

Today is my son’s 11th month birthday and as I celebrate this milestone in his life, I pay tribute to my niece Alexi.

It’s hard to say goodbye to you our little Angel Alexi, but we have to let you go. You have made your Papang Ruswell and Mamang Dyan happy with your delicate touch and sweet presence, no matter how short your visit was. We know peace and serenity will be yours always in God’s Kingdom where you belong.

I wasn’t able to personally get a glimpse of your fragile body but deep in my heart, you will always remain. You have become part of me and our family. Your bittersweet departure will be a constant reminder for us that we have an angel in you and that we have to keep the faith alive.

I am a mother and I understand how painful it is for your mom to bear your passing but I admire her for showing dignity in moments of weakness. She inspires me and other people with this. I thank your dad for showing his love and care for your mom in those trying times. He’s a treasure to behold.

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In a recent trip to the cold high lands of Tagaytay, Cavite, Philippines, my family and I discovered Ilog Maria. It is a clean, pure and primordial honeybee farm located in Silang town just minutes away from Tagaytay.

Joel and Violaine Magsaysay own and manage the bee farm and they have been harvesting honey, beeswax, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, bee venom from their own honeybees for 30 years now. Some of their products include hair oil, bath salts, candles, insect repellants, aromatherapy oils, lotions, lip balm, virgin honey and fresh bee pollen, among others. All the products contain one or more of the active ingredients harvested from their own farm bees. Each harvest process is done painstakingly to preserve the freshness and potency of their product.

My husband and I purchased a large bottle of fresh Ilog Maria Bee Pollen because we were quite amazed of what was written on the piece of literature about the benefits of bee pollen. I have tried bee pollen in capsule form before but I haven’t seen it in its full freshness before.

It said in the literature: “Do not overdose. Overdose leads to exceedingly high energy levels, increased metabolism, higher body temperature, and excessive hilarity and euphoria. Fortunately, an overdose can be worked off with brisk exercise…”

It’s just one of the best overdose side effects I’ve ever known. No harm! So when we got home, we tried it. It only took just a small teaspoonful (smaller than an ordinary teaspoon) of fresh bee pollen to experience the surge of energy and the gush of cheerfulness. Sleeping experience has also been great for us. Taking bee pollen in the morning allows us a good night’s rest. Taking it in the afternoon will keep us awake the whole night.

That is just a part of it. There are other advantages, too. Years of scientific studies and research from various countries have proven that bee pollen grains have alleviated, lessened and cured many health problems and maintained wellness. Ingesting bee pollen regularly may have the following benefits to the body:

{ Heightens endurance of athletes

{ Improves memory of students and concentration of workers

{ Furnishes necessary elements for the repair of any damaged cells or tissues

{ Metabolizes fat and helps maintain ideal weight

{ Alleviates impotence and helps prevent prostate enlargement

{ Fights depression, stress and fatigue

{ Remedies digestive problems

{ Builds up the immune system

{ Lessens the risk of hypertension

{ Hinders growth of tumors

{ Enhances sexual drive and improves fertility

{ Eases night blindness

{ Provides anti-aging elements

{ Reduces levels of cholesterol

{ Promotes an overall feeling of happiness and optimism

CONTENTS OF BEE POLLEN

No wonder bee pollen grains have so much medicinal properties for humans; it is nature’s most complete food because it contains all the nutrients needed by the body such as:

Years ago, I had a chance to work as a production researcher in two of the TV production shows of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Network. These were Today with Kris and Talk TV. My first project was about SUICIDE. As a neophyte in the field, I didn’t realize how hard that first assignment was for me. It was a delicate matter for the victims to talk about because most people who’ve had suicide attempts were hesitant to share their ordeal.

In the course of my research, I was stunned to find out that there was a significant number of persons with suicidal tendencies and those that have attempted to take their lives.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the Philippines had suicide rates (per 100,000) of 2.5 for men and 1.7 for women as of 1993. Of course, this may sound appalling for Filipinos but the numbers are way too small compared to those in western countries.

The Philippines has one of the world’s lowest suicide rates. This is also shown in the 2000 Philippine Health Statistics from the Department of Health (DOH). The DOH reported that only 1.8 per 100,000 people have inflicted harm on themselves. On the other hand, European countries had the highest figures which ranged from 30 to 42 per 100,000.

To many people, life is one tough affair to handle. Working 24 hours a day, having to take care of a sick child, finding ways to stop the devaluation of the dollar against other currencies, understanding why teens seem to hate their folks, managing one’s relationship and looking for solutions to attain normalcy in life are no laughing matters. It is a given fact that people of all ages and all walks of life face problems. Fortunately for some, their obstacles are far more complex than that of others’. But then, problems are subjective, aren’t they? There is just one big truth that people have to accept – life is a can of worms.

Finding solutions to problems can be very taxing and stressful. It may take away the energy and zest in life. However, there is a very effective way to ease out woes and cares. It may even fix a bad situation at hand. Humor is the answer. This age-old concept is an essential of life. Without it, suicide stats would have increased dramatically. Society would have been enveloped with the strong stigma of untimely deaths. To get through life with satisfaction one should take it seriously, but to sprinkle it with funniness can make a whole lot of difference. Each circumstantial challenge in life can be viewed with a sense of humor.

“Humor is just another defense against the universe,” American comedian/filmmaker Mel Brooksonce said.

Indeed, with hilariousness, life is filled with beautiful complications. Silence can be a powerful tool in proving a point but nothing can be more powerful and spontaneous than the sound of a thunderous laughter shared by a group of friends who may hold different perspectives or argue on some issues. Laughter enhances relationships.

Without a comedian’s whim based on his tragic or personal battles, jokes would not have been written and wouldn’t have made people laugh. Hence, there is proliferation of comedy films and videos, standup comedy set-ups, amusing poetry slam competitions or grossly funny-themed books… and they sell big time. Humor is a serious business, as a matter of fact.

A humor break is as important as a cigarette or coffee break in the workplace. While one worker is daunted and angered by the stress brought about by the changes and challenges at work, and a group of may throw curses at their employer, a colleague or two may find ways to make everybody laugh about their situation. Laughing lightens up difficulties and makes things a lot easier. Just make sure the bosses aren’t listening.

The value of hilarity among healthcare patients and professionals is quite priceless. As what the cliché says, laughter is the best medicine. Although science would argue about this, time and again, this old notion has never died. In fact, studies with new developments have been continuously gaining popularity. Norman Cousinswas an American political journalist, author, professor, and world peace advocate. He served as Adjunct Professor of Medical Humanities for the School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he researched on the biochemistry of human emotions. He believed that taking high doses of vitamin C and laughter contributed to his recovery from ankylosis spondylitis. The author explained that 10 minutes of laughter resulted in two hours of pain-free sleep.

Melissa B. Wanzer, EdD, professor of communication studies at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York conducted a series of research on how humor aids medical workers cope with their demanding jobs. According to Wanzer and her team of researchers, when used appropriately, humor is quite instrumental in coping with stress on the job.

“If employees view their managers as humor-oriented, they also view them as more effective,” Wanzer further explained.

So when approached with a bit of bitterness in life, people can try to put a little flavor of salt or sugar in it. They can turn a problem into an opportunity to laugh or just to smile by doing the following:

Laugh at oneself.

Do something new and hilarious (Probably with the hair… It grows anyway).

Talk to kids.

Sing out loudly.

Look back and view old pictures (Post them in Facebook).

Listen to people whose wit nurtures cheerfulness.

Watch comedy flicks, sitcoms and talk shows.

Bond with high school or college friends.

Take time to smile (Tip: Looking at oneself at the mirror always generates a smile in an instant).